Succession Game V: The Empire of Ra

[Immortal Wombat]

Locutus, can you email me the file to theimmortalwombat@hotmail.com please. I'm about one phonecall away from murdering the entire upper managment of tinyonline. I now can't receive email

[Locutus]

Ben: Done.

The website is updated again. For those of us with slow modem connections, I'll be putting round 2 on a new page. Some changes have been made to the bottom part of page 1, but all the new things will from now on be on page 2.

[Immortal Wombat]

I haven't got the time to play this round, so I've mailed the file to Gazablanca.

[Gazablanca]

Transcript of Gazablanca Apolyton the 7th


After the death of Locutus,Apolyton-elect Immortal Wombat was about to become the next ruler of Egypt until he suddenly disappeared.....rumours are abound around the country that Wombat had been eaten by a giant crocodile while celebrating his reign -to -be....anyhow,because of this sudden appearance,Egypt searched quickly for the next ruler....and found it in a long lost relative of Gazablanca the 3rd Apolyton.He was crowned straightaway,and began his dynasty in a baptism of fire.......

4580 BC

Gazablanca's first act is to immediately change the build queue of Memphis and fill it with military units....he had just seen the army of Ptah be destroyed by a massive army of barbarians.The Ptah army had used up its quota of movement points in 4600 BC,and was unable to move and was slaughtered.The Barbarian army took minimal damage.Gazablanca vows to build up the military to massive levels so that the barbarians shall not be a threat to the nation of Egypt...a warrior is rush built in Memphis to defend against a further barbarian incursion.The army of Amen,in the southern areas,is being chased by barbs.It is decided that this Army should return closer to home,to guard the nation.

4560 BC-4540BC

Egypt continues to be on high alert.

4520 BC

Domestication now discovered.Because of our need for military units,research is started on Horseriding,which will give us Javelin Cavaliers.

4500 BC-4000BC

Nothing much happens,apart from continuation of military build up.The Amen army,returning home,discovers the Arabian city of Medina.It is noted that their cities are coming ever closer to our borders.....

4380 BC-4360 BC

Army of Amen comes across a lone barbarian unit,ready to slaughter.The barbarian regiment flees in terror!!!!!

4340 BC

Army of Amen continues to harass barbarian,at the same time hoping a trap is not being set up....meanwhile,a Nomad has been built in Heliopolis.The Army of Ra,based in Heliopolis,is assigned to protect the Nomad,as it's intended destination is the coastal grasslands to the west,which is known to be a hotbed of barbarian activity.

4320 BC

Nomad continues journey westwards.

4300 BC

Several raiding parties of barbarians are spotted around Memphis and Tanis.Thanks to Gazablanca's military policies however,cities are now relatively safe from barbarian attack .With this on his mind after a fairly uneventful reign,Gazablanca the 7th Apolyton dies peacefully,leaving the way clear for a new Apolyton to take over.


---------------------------------------------------

[Hermann the Lombard]

Originally posted by Gazablanca 4580 BC

....he had just seen the army of Ptah be destroyed by a massive army of barbarians.The Ptah army had used up its quota of movement points in 4600 BC,and was unable to move and was slaughtered.

So much for "Invincible" Ptah. Perhaps Ptah is not as powerful a god as we had thought. The descendants of Her-mann fully approve of Gazablanca's military buildup. The barbarians are giving us enough trouble; we have yet to fight another civilization. The decision to pursue Horseriding is also wise. We have heard rumors of the effectiveness of "combined arms."

[Locutus]

Good job, Gaz. I left you in an awkward position there, but even I didn't expect that the Barbs would take so little damage...

Website updated with story and pic.

[Gazablanca]

I was surprised,to say the least....only one barbarian was destroyed outright while the rest only took minimal damage.Someone remind me...are we playing on 'Raging Hordes' level or what???????

[Hermann the Lombard]

Originally posted by Gazablanca
I was surprised,to say the least....only one barbarian was destroyed outright while the rest only took minimal damage.Someone remind me...are we playing on 'Raging Hordes' level or what???????

Well, *that* particular horde was raging, at least!

AFAIK, Ptah had a decent mix of units (a couple of slingers), but was it 2 warrior and 1 spear of the other way around? Since we were attacked, the other way around might have helped a trifle...but Ptah was sent to *attack* barbarians, when I would want more warriors than spearmen. Here's looking forward to having flankers!

[Locutus]

Update for all: due to some technical difficulties it all took a little longer than ideal but the file has now been sent to Hermann (Assur didn't have time to play). A new summary will hopefully be posted shortly.

[Hermann the Lombard]

4300 BC

The 7th Apolyton dies peacefully, but that will be the last peaceful event for some time. Under the dynastic system, the throne should rightfully pass to the heirs of the Great Pear-Shaped Assur, but the eldest heir suffers a terrible accident. He slips on a mat made of rushes and falls over backward on a pile of spears. Thus the “throw rug” is born. The streets of Memphis are once again filled with Mayhem and Chaos, and the citizens of the capital say “ho, hum” and hide indoors to wait for calm. “Happens every time,” they say.

All the known relatives of the Assur heir are grief-stricken and immediately volunteer to accompany the eldest to the Land of the Dead, joining him in his tomb. High Priest Her-mann conducts the private ceremony and returns from the tomb in garments dyed with clay mud (well, they started red and dried brown, and no one chooses to to question the pigment).

The capital quiets again, but a disturbance begins in Tanis, when the residents realize that the barbarians are camping among the precious grapevines. The Army of Set marches forth and destroys the intruders.

4280 BC

The Army of Set returns in triumph to Tanis, and a great wine party lasts the traditional three days and three nights. This is followed by the even greater Holiday of Hangover. The renewed Army of Ptah glares ferociously at the barbarian raiders in the forested Nile valley, who taunt Ptah in return. Her-mann leads Ptah in an all-out attack, destroying the barbarian cavalry with no significant casualties. The cities breathe easier.

Her-mann orders gold sent to Byzantium and Japan, to lubricate diplomacy. Many barrels of Set Wine are sent as well, but for some reason the barrels for Japan never arrive.

4260 BC

The Army of Ra is torn by dissent; should the nomads settle here along the shoreline, nestled among the hills, or should they continue to the more fertile plains to the west? Those advocating the hills remain there, entombed, and the army continues toward the setting sun.

4240 BC

Another regiment of warriors is raised in Heliopolis, where the citizens feel vulnerable knowing that the Army of Ra is now far to the west, escorting nomads. A pasture is developed on the peninsula east of Heliopolis. (The hieroglyphs say something like, “one pasture easier to defend than two farms.”) Some final Hill Holdouts are purged from the Army of Ra, as the priests chant something about “failing to connect the borders.”

4220 BC

The city of Abydos is founded on a thoroughly indefensible beachfront grassland. We must wait for the Locutians to give us the name in the Holy Language; the High Priest Her-mann II, Apolyton VIII seems to have more secular matters on his mind.

4200 BC

Distant rumblings (or rumors) arrive from a massive earthquake near a city called Armagh (believed to be a corruption of the cry “Ar-my-god”).

4180 BC

Spearmen from Heliopolis, sent to investigate rumors of land east of Heliopolis, are ambushed by barbarian spearmen. The Egyptian spearmen prevail in desperate combat. The pathetic survivors bravely (or foolishly) press on. They will soon stand on a headland in sight of this rumored land, tantalizingly out of reach across the water. Oh, for a coracle!

4160 BC

Byzantine envoys arrive, offering their maps in exchange for ours. An attempt to steal their maps fails, but fortunately the envoys are none the wiser. Her-mann generously shares the vast cartographic knowledge of Egypt, and the Byzantine maps reveal a huge (but distant) area in the north, consisting mostly of water. Oh, for a coracle!

The priestly sages announce momentous news: the discovery of Horse Riding! The training of riders begins throughout Egypt. The sages come to Her-mann for guidance, and the Eighth Apolyton muses that there must be some good use for the numerous barbarians infesting the empire. Research begins on Slave Labor.

4140 BC

The first two regiments of native Egyptian cavalry are ready to ride, though at first they mostly seem to fall off a lot. High Priest Her-mann II, Apolyton VIII issues a proclamation recalling the great eulogy given by Her-mann the Regent, and declaring anew that the Bloody Javelin shall be the emblem of the cavalry. The new riders from Tanis reveal a large barbarian force (4) camping at the Source of the Nile, with other barbarian spearmen scouting ahead. Her-mann calls upon Set to inflict the “Curse of the Tse-Tse” upon the barbarians, but the prayer goes unanswered. The riders from Memphis ride swiftly east, discovering a small barbarian force half way between Memphis and Abydos.

4120 BC

The Army of Amen (remember them?) cautiously approaches the Nile Valley, hugging the northern coast to avoid the barbarian horde. News reaches Memphis: “The Yamato have gone to war with the Egyptians.” The priests of Set sadly remember the lost wine, which would have been far more effective than mere olive branches. (Besides, the Arabians seem to have a monopoly on olives.) Her-mann offers gold to Arabia, seeking a cease-fire. The response (“no dice”) greatly puzzles the priests of Egypt, a sad lot.

4100 BC

More rumors arrive: the Celts (whoever they are) begin work on something called “The Pyramids.” The omens indicate that there is something cosmically WRONG about this. The gods seem displeased by Egypt.

4080 BC

The spearmen returning from exploration are ambushed south of Heliopolis, and perish in a hail of stones.

4060 BC

The Army of Amen-Ptah destroys barbarian slingers on the hills south of Memphis, but then see barbarian slavemasters just beyond, about to join the barbarian horde. Brave sages are sent to the slavemasters pleading, “show us how it is done.” The slavemasters are pleased to do so, but the sages are unable to return the knowledge to Memphis. To the south, the citizens of Tanis are once again enraged to discover barbarians getting drunk in their vineyards. The Army of Set avenges this insult.

4040 BC

The combined Army of Amen-Ptah, the first “combined arms” of Egypt, catch the barbarian horde in open ground between the Sacred Mountain and the Sacred Nile. The warrior regiment perishes, but the barbarians are utterly destroyed. The Sacred Six-Day Celebration is held in Memphis. The honor of Ptah is restored!

4020-4000

Egypt basks in the sun under the rule of Her-mann II, Apolyton VIII, Scourge of the Barbarians. This period of peace and prosperity is marred only by rumors of hostility of nearly every other civilization. “Was it something we said?” The Eighth Apolyton has one remaining dream: to have slaves waiting on him hand and foot. Then tragedy strikes. On a pleasure cruise on the Nile, the Apolyton’s royal log strikes an unseen obstacle, and the royal party tumbles into the river. Her-mann cries out, “A coracle! A coracle! My kingdom for a coracle!” He is promptly eaten by the unseen obstacle.

[Locutus]

It's been 4 days - Oerdin, tell me you *can* play this time...

[Martin Gühmann]

Another 6 days so what happend?

-Martin

[Locutus]

Oerdin should have the game now, but I haven't heard anything from him in respect to the succession game. I've been very busy lately so until now I didn't have time to keep this (or the other) game rolling but I'll start working on it tonight. I think Hermann send the file to both me and Oerdin at the time, so I should have it myself. I'll play my turn for Oerdin and if he doesn't respond very soon he'll once again have to skip his turn.

[Locutus]

In 4000 BC, After Her-mann dies, uncertainty befalls the Egyptians: who shall be their next leader. Her-mann had two sons fit to rule: Oerdin and Locutus, named after the men who struggled for the leadership of Egypt during the rebellion of /reloadslic. It was as if these names were cursed by Ra himself, as these sons of Her-mann too, were to struggle for power. Oerdin is the older of the two brothers and declares he will be the new leader and announces that he will try to make peace with the Arabs. Locutus, claiming that making peace with the Arabs is treason, has his brother arrrested and executed. It is him who ascends to the throne as Locutus III, Apolyton IX.

His first act to is ensure the support of Constantine for the legitimacy of his reign by sending him a chest of 100 bar of Gold. Then he travels to Abydos and 'christians' () the new town 'Abtu' in the Holy Language, devoting the main temple and the defenders of the city to Osiris. Finally, before returning to his palace in Memphis, he orders the men of Abtu to form a regiment of Slingers. Back in Men-Nefer, he splits up the army of Amen-Ptah, making sure that the ranks of the army of Ptah consist of the strongest and most experienced soldiers of Egypt.

One day, in 3980 BC, one of Locutus's most trusted advisors storms into the throne room: "Locutus, Locutus, I have a brilliant idea! Instead of making our own brave Egyptian men scrub the floors of the palace, we should capture rather than kill our enemies and have them do the dirty work for us." And thus the concept of Slavery is discovered. Locutus orders his advisors to now start researching a way to make the hills and mountains around the cities of Egypt more useful, a concept he calls Mining. At the same time he orders the restoration of the road from Memphis to Tanis, swearing to utterly destroy any Barbarian that even dares to approach it.

In 3960 BC, a regiment of Slingers is completed in Tanis, and the men in the city now start to train to enter the class of the Warrior. The road from Memphis to Tanis is completed and officially opened by the great Apolyton himself.

3940 BC: Confident about the fact that no Barbarians dared approach his new road, Locutus orders the cultivation of the land around Abydos. Farms are constructed north-east of the city.

3920 BC: A regiment of Barbarian Slingers is foolish enough to traverse the road from Memphis to Tanis and the furious Locutus sends in the experienced army of Ptah. Although Locutus is aware of the concept of Slavery, he orders the Barbarians to be slaughtered in the most cruel fashion possible. His soldeirs comply and without losing even a single men, defeat the Barbarians. At the same time Barbarian Cavalry is defeated by the Army of Ra outside Abydos, here too, there are no casualties on Egyptian side.

In 3900 BC an army of Barbarian Slingers and Javelin Horsemen approach the army of Ra, who, confident thanks to the convincing victory 20 years earlier, immediately attack. Although they are victorious, one regimant of Warriors is completely destroyed and the inhabitants of Heliopolis, home town of these soldiers, mourn for three days and three nights. A band of Warriors is spotted in a the ruins of an ancient city outside Heliopolis, they are in awe by the greatness of the nation of Egypt and decide to pledge allegiance to Locutus III. A new regiment of Slingers is ready in Memphis. Locutus hears the reports of his men coming in: in the south there are great fields of grass alternated with productive hills and flanked by a great mountain range. As he is reading this, Locutus envisions that one day magnificent cities will flourish in this region, and orders his men to form a band of Nomads in Memphis, so this vision can be realized.

3880 BC: A regiment of Slingers is ready in Heliopolis, a new unit of Warriors will now be formed.

In 3840 BC, an exploring Cavalry unit encounters a band of Spearmen near a mysterious rock formation south of Heliopolis, these new men decide to join Egypt.

A messenger from Tanis arrives at Locutus's palace in Memphis in 3820 BC: the city of Tanis is full of rumors about the capital of the Arabs. Apparently Ra punished these Arab infidels by shaking the ground so severely that half the town is in ruin. Locutus's military advisors pressure the Apolyton to send an army to Arabia and take advantage of the situation by capturing the city. However, Locutus dismisses these plans as Egypts military is not strong enough for such an action and the rumors are probably exaggerated anyway. Reluctantly the generals go back to planning campaigns against the Barbarian hordes.

Meanwhile, Locutus orders his troops in the south to continue to explore the plains, forests and grasslands there. In some woodland ruins, a band of Warriors is found and asked to join the ranks of the Egyptians, the Warriors gladly accept. Elsewhere, more ruins are explored but turns out to be empty except for an old hermit. Around the hut of this old man the soldiers of Kemet see all sorts of odd-shaped hollow stones. They ask the man to explain to them what they are and how to make them and thus learn about Pottery.

3800 BC: the priests of Ra announce that they have found a way to exploit the hills and mountains in the south - a concept called Mining. This makes settling in this region even more attractive and Locutus presses the mayors of all Egyptian cities to finish their current activies so they can focus on forming bands of Nomads. Meanwhile, he orders his priests to start working on a concept called Brick Making started. New Warriors are standing ready in Tanis, but before Locutus can order the men of this town to start forming a band of Nomads, one of his generals orders the formation of a regiment of Slingers. Locutus is furious and wants to execute the man but just as he is about to thrust a spear into the man's chest, a cat enters the room and crosses the path of Locutus, almost causing the Apolyton to trip over the animal. Since the domesticated cat is the embodiment of Ra, Locutus realizes that this must be a sign from the gods and that he should follow the advise of his general. So the Slingers are built in Tanis.

3780 BC: Rumours form the Etruscans arrive in Memphis: Latona is nearing the completion of the Pyramids.

In 3760 BC, 100 Gold is given to the Byzantines to keep diplomatic relationships as smooth as they have always been. In the mean time, exploration of the lands south of Egypt continues.

3740 BC: Warriors are standing ready in Heliopolis, and the formation of Nomads is begun. The Army of Set defeats a Barbarian Slavemaster, without loss of live on Egyptian side.

3720 BC: the Etruscans have completed the Pyramids. Although noone in the whole of Egypt can explain why, the gods seems very unpleased about this: the harvest in this year is the lowest since generations. At the same time Abydos builds a regiment of Slingers for it's self-defense. Locutus is angered once again, as he wants Nomads to be formed, but this time the generals and priests are tired of Locutus's poor temper and continued insistance to build more Nomads and overrule him by ordering Abydos to build Warriors. In their next act, they depose Locutus IX and send him to exile, leaving Egypt once again leaderless.


---

Sorry, I posted this days ago on the website but because 'poly was down I forgot to update here. Anyway, IW should post his story very shortly as well.

[Immortal Wombat]

3700BC: Following the exile of Locutus, there is a breif period of confusion, and people wander the streets in their nightclothing. Then along comes a brave young man by the pseudonym of Wombat. He sets about founding a dynasty that will last a thousand years, or until we discover Oligarchy, whichever comes first.

3680BC: Armies of Egypt continued the exploration of the world.

No event of note until 3640BC, when Brick Making was discovered. A mud-fight among the children of Memphis was proceeding with its usual light-heartedness, until all the cool children decided to pick on the spotty kid who liked flowers, and got nosebleeds. Sad and veangeful, he swore revenge, and at the next mud fight, his new weapons caused more injury than at any mud-fight before, yet the cool kids, rule abiding as they were, were forced to allow his fire-hardened mud bricks. (The time after that, when the secret of the brick making was made public to the kids, [probably by the geek's wannabe little brother], adult intervention was needed to prevent a complete massacre of childhood.)
The bricks were put to use building Pyramids, until someone pointed out that no matter how good they would look, the Etruscans did it first. The point was duly noted, and the Wise Men of Egypt decided that if Architecture was not the Egyptian thing, spirituality was, and went all out for a God, via ceremonial burial.

In 3600BC, another Slinger was trained in Tanis, and was about to adopt the name David and go travelling to help out a spearman/cavalry army tracking a barbarian slavemaster, when it was decided he's make better use as a generic city watchman. The Tanis cavalry unit went to Memphis, seeking fame and fortune.

3580BC: One ninth of the citizens of Memphis lost their houses in an early 'in-sewer-ants' experiment, and so decided to uproot and move further east, to a delighful spot on a peninsula, where the throughflow of ocean traffic from the northern ocean to the southern ocean would make the city a thriving port, with the added addition of being sited on a spice plantation (*hint hint*). To the south of the city, the Javelin Cavalry finally catches up with, and engages the slavemaster in combat, so as to clear the route east for the nomads. The armies of Ptah and Amen in Memphis are merged, choosing the name Ptah to continue, and after much rearranging, goes as an escort with the nomads to their new home. Three javelin cavalry in the area around Memphis form the Blood Runners, so named for their fierce speed, and brave loyalty. In the following years, a barbarian army of slingers once again graces the region to the east of the Egyptian capital, and more units are sent from Memphis to protect the nomads. Afterwards, the slingers retreat, to join a slavemaster, and move south.

An Egyptian warrior returning north to Memphis, having discovered the south pole (take that Norway!) happened upon the army of Slingers, with slavemaster, and, abandoning caution, refused to flee in the face of emnity, but stood his ground, luring the barbarians away from where the nomads of Memphis, some 10000 souls, crept East. With the danger moved far south, some of the escort returned to Memphis, to defend the homeland from the next slinger raid.

The brave warrior died, and was buried unceremoniously by a raven. Which is a shame, because in 3500BC: A form of ceremonial burial that remains credible enough for gullible citizens to accept, yet with enough pomp and circumstance to appeal to a jealous God is devised by crafty philosophers. Next they seek out the meaning of the devine, based on a hunch of one of them that there might only be one God after all.

After this little flurry of excitement, life settled back to normal. Wombat learned to play the clarinet, and how to pick up pebbles with his toes. He died quietly in his sleep in the year 3400BC, to be succeeded by his son, named Gaza the White, because of his unusually (for an Egyptian) pale skin.

[Immortal Wombat]

I know this ocean-link isn't necessary, as they are alredy joined, its as good a site as any, and would reduce movement time from North to South.

[hexagonian]

David isn't an Egyptian name, it's Hebrew....

[Immortal Wombat]

Yeah...His parents were hippies

[Locutus]

Website updated with IW's story and pics...

[Gazablanca]

And after the last Apolyton's death,
Gazablanca III,Apolyton XI
takes over(formerly known as Gaza the White,but with much more suntanned skin)

3380 BC

Spearman built in Abydos.

3360 BC

Surprised that Memphis has no big fields to laze about in summer,Gazablanca builds a farm the river.

3340 BC

The Javelin Cavalry roaming the north meets up with a nomad of the Celt empire,who says that the Celt leader,Cunobelin,is not one to be trifled with.....Gazablanca,upon hearing this,wonders why the hell anyone would want to be covered in a mixture of custard,jelly and cream anyway,and decides right off that the Celts are rather cuckoo.....
For the Celt's insolence,the Javelin Cavalry boots the nomad with all his might back to whence the cheeky one came from.However,before this,an exchange of maps is decided with the Celts anyway,which is refused by them,which was met by the mighty boot up the arse as described before.
In the meantime,the barb slinger army returns to try to mock the Memphis inhabitants.

3320 BC

Nomad built in Heliopolis:destination is the coastline south of this city.Some regiments of the army of Ra are assigned to protect it until the army of Ptah is met up with.A Ziggurat is started in Heliopolis.

3300/3280 BC

Nothing much happens.

3260 BC

Army of Ptah rendezvoused with Nomad.This group then travels south.Meanwhile,Tanis begins production on jurisprudence,which will help our empire keep crime down and also raise a great leader.

3240/3220/3200 BC

Nothing much happens again,apart from troop movements.Gazablanca amuses himself by trying to build a beer-urn mountain to rival the pyramids....

3180 BC

The Javelin Cavalier discovers an Arabian city called Samarkand,and an angry size ten stack of Arabian military giving chase.The Cavelier hotfoots it as fast as possible.....

3160 BC

Abydos starts building Ziggurat.

3140 BC

Bad News!!!!A plague has struck in all our cities,knocking each city's population down by a point.Gazablanca curses loudly and for a long period,inventing new swear words at the same time.
There is some good news though....a new city has been founded,called Bubastis.The Army of Ra will defend it until such time as the city has enough soldiers to defend itself.

3120 BC

Cavalier continues northwards resolutely

3100 BC

Heliopolis starts a riot!!This is probably due to the effects of the plague.An entertainer takes a farmer's place and brings the spirits up in Heliopolis.Gazablanca writes in his log book a reminder to convert the entertainer back into a farmer when the city is happy enough.
After all this excitement,Gazablanca dies after a frenzied drinking and swearing session.......his heart gives up.However,he dies happy knowing that the Egyptian empire is finally expanding.

[Locutus]

Website has been updated with Gaz's story and pic...

[Gazablanca]

Since there is no sign of Assur's transcript of his story,and the 72 hour deadline has passed,I will be sending on the save game file onto Ed as soon as possible.

[Locutus]

Yeah, I already contacted Assur but I haven't heard anything yet. Send the file to Ed when you can. Ed, I want to give Assur until tomorrow to respond. If you don't hear from me or Assur today, feel free to play your turn tomorrow (or later...).

[Locutus]

Gaz/Ed,
I haven't heard anything from Assur. If you haven't done so already, please send/play the game ASAP, thanks...

[Hermann the Lombard]

Originally posted by Locutus
Gaz/Ed,
I haven't heard anything from Assur. If you haven't done so already, please send/play the game ASAP, thanks...

Got it. Will play tonight.

[Hermann the Lombard]

The Stela of Her-mann III, Apolyton XII

Out of a haze of blue air and alcohol fumes emerges the new Apolyton of Egypt. Is it Assur reborn? No, all those of that lineage have gone on an extended “vacation trip” to Arabia. Rather, it is a long-lost heir to the fifth Apolyton, Her-mann I, called “The Coracle Dreamer” or “Got Rock in His Head.”

3080 BC

Her-mann III steps to the balcony of the Palace of the Apolyton and receives the traditional greeting from the people of Heliopolis: a hail of stones and oaths from rioters in the street. From this day forward the Apolyton is never again seen without a helmet. From this evolve the elaborate headdresses of the Apolytons of Egypt. The late Gazablanca III had quelled the rioters, but the entertainer either went on break or died in the plague. A new entertainer takes the stage, and the wrath of the mob subsides.

The new Apolyton finds a Ziggurat on the verge of completion in Heliopolis, but the city elders claim that to build this is folly, as “there are no wise men in the city. Is there no better use for our efforts than to further mere Science? A Bazaar, perhaps?” Her-mann examines the records of the city and discovers that the city is contributing nothing to the coffers of the Empire of Ra; in fact, the city is using a bar of gold each year, twenty over the last period of the third Gazablanca’s reign. A shrine? That might appease the rioters. Oh, but it appears that the Ziggurat is complete; the rioters merely prevented its dedication. [Can’t move it down the queue; can’t move anything up to the top of the queue.]

Ptah escorts a nomad east from Bubastis, with visions of spice and of expansion in mind. A chariot scouts ahead to prevent ambush.

3060 BC

The much-delayed Ziggurat of Heliopolis is dedicated to the new Apolyton, the entertainer retires, and with that the wise men of the city emerge from hiding. The effort is justified after all! The city begins to assemble a Labor Recruitment Team.

The northern Javelin Cavalry is christened The Eyes of Horus, and enters the territory of Japan. They discover a vile Yamato press gang, but these are not the Claws of Horus, so the cavalry attempts to maneuver around the Yamato.

3040 BC

The Yamato press gang presses their luck, and the Eyes of Horus ride them down. Riding on, they they see the city of Osaka on the horizon. The Bazaar of Memphis is completed, but stubbornly remains in the queue. The priests murmur that the gods are angry at the continuing omission of the ritual of /reloadslic. A brief display by The Blood Runners silences the murmuring, and new priests are brought to fill the vacancies. The Army of Ra sets forth from Heliopolis to clear the way for the nomads coming from Bubastis.

3020 BC

Not a good year for diplomacy: the Celts have gone to war with the Arabians, who in turn have gone to war with the Yamato. Well, we don’t much like the Arabians, ourselves!

3000 BC

Our sages reveal the secret of Jurisprudence! Her-mann recalls his great ancestor’s unrequited dream of mighty coracles bobbing across the seas, but then he recalls the fate of his great ancestor. He orders the sages to reveal how to have a horse pull a wheeled platform. He figures that if they can pull this off, they can find something useful to do with these contraptions.

2985 BC

A mystery! Memphis has built a Bazaar, for the third consecutive period. It seems that the workers of the city are afraid to move on; perhaps they have separation anxiety. Her-mann orders a few heads separated from shoulders. Enough of this Bazaar already! In the east, Ptah meets Ra and together they bring the nomads onto the Spice Isthmus.

2970-2955 BC

Nothing of significance happens (no news is good news?) as the chariot scouts ahead of the combined armies.

2940 BC

The Spice City of Meidum is founded, and commences trying to raise a troop of javelin cavalry. This will be a long process for a new city. The charioteers ride east as far as the legendary Great Wheatfield, then turn back toward Meidum. The Army of Ra is returning to Heliopolis.

The Surveyors of the Apolyton trace a route for a road to link Heliopolis and Meidum, as Memphis and Tanis are linked in the west. When complete, the two cities can support each other against threats. Her-mann speaks to his people: “The Arabs declared war on Egypt during the reign of Her-mann I, two thousand four hundred years ago. Sooner or later the Arabian armies will find us! Someday, one of their commanders will stop to ask for directions!”

2925 BC

The first regiment of warriors is commissioned in Bubastis. The new army is christened “Bast,” at least until the prophesied return of the Guardian of the Sacred Language. A band of barbarian warriors approaches Memphis from the east.

2910 BC

The Great Eastern Road is complete! The Army of Ra returns along it and enters Heliopolis in triumph. (The triumph was apparently in not getting lost, even though they refused to ask for directions. “Only Arabs ask for directions,” they scoff.)

2895 BC

A new troop joins The Blood Runners in Memphis, and they ride out to cleanse the Nile Valley of the stain of barbarian intrusion. The great river runs red, and not with Egyptian blood.

2880 BC

Showing persistent inability to learn, yet another barbarian warrior band approaches Memphis and the Nile. Barbarian blood is sent running once more…though one troop of cavalry is getting the worse for wear.

2865 BC

Farms are laid out to supply more food to the young cities of Bubastis and Meidum. Far to the north, the Eyes of Horus spy a force of Arabian archers, possibly approaching the Yamato lands. Good! Let them die there!

2850 BC

No, they died right here; the Arabians are swept away by an enormous barbarian horde, the largest ever seen! The Eyes of Horus can count four slingers and a spearband, but that is only half of this Dread Horde. A Yamato hoplite appears as well; let THEM deal with the horde!

The new labor recruitment team starts east toward our “friends” in Arabia. News arrives: the Yamato have gone to war with the Celts. It’s a regular love feast over there!

Her-mann III, Apolyton XII faces a momentous decision: should the Empire of Ra pursue The Code of Hammurabi? If so, what city has the best chance to succeed? Memphis and Heliopolis would vie for the honor (and are too far apart to fight over it). The sages advise keeping the effort a secret as long as possible, lest foreigners become jealous. Memphis appears to be producing more javelin cavalry, and Heliopolis is ostensibly preparing the first Prophet of Ptah. The Apolyton is troubled. A great storm rises; an omen? Her-mann mounts the Ziggurat of Memphis, to be as close to the gods as possible. Swept by the rain, he holds his helmet high overhead, and calls upon the gods to give him guidance!

They give him lightning.

It seems that Her-mann made an ash of himself.

[Hermann the Lombard]

The East of the Empire of Ra, 2850 BC

[Locutus]

Okay, I played my turn (since I assume Oerdin still can't play - but I'll gladly replay if he reports in soon) and will post a story later. As African history buff, I tried not to b*tch too much about the IMNSHO fairly poor quality of the city list but I must object to the name 'Meidum'...

There's no such thing as an ancient Egyptian city of Meidum. There's a modern town whose anglicized(sp?) name is Meidum but it's a rather insignificant little town. The only reason Meidum is famous is because of a somewhat unusual pyramid that has been found in it's vicitinity. I might include it on an Egyptian city list myself somewhere but not amonst the first 50 cities and certainly not before very important cities like Thebes, Elepantine, This, Busiris or Pi-Ramesses (among others).

Unless there are objections, I propose we rename that city. I already renamed it Aphroditopolis aka Tep-ihet (but that change can always be reversed of course) as that was a nearby city of some importance: it was the capital of the nome on the other side of the Nile - I wanted to use the capital of the nome in which the Meidum pyramid itself was located but that's already the next city on the list: Faiyum (aka Crocodilopolis - I built the city and renamed it Crocodilopolis as it's more consistent with the rest of the list (all Greek names) and because it's a much cooler name ). It would be nicer to rename it to This or Coptos or something but I'm sure that whoever made the Egyptian city list had *some* kind of logic behind his choices (although I don't see it) and I didn't want to screw things up too much...

[Hermann the Lombard]

If Oerdin *can* play then I owe him a BIG apology.

Assumptions again...

I support renaming cities to more appropriate names, and defer to you, O Noble Locutus, as the Guardian of History and of the Sacred Language.

[Locutus]

Sorry, I've been very busy IRL lately, exams and stuff. But here is finally the story of Locutus IV, Apolyton XIII. I hope to be able to update the website(s) tomorrow, but I'm still busy so no promises...

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After Her-mann's remains have been buried according to the rituals of Ptah, Locutus is chosen as the new leader of Kemet in 2850 BC. His first act is to send out surveyors to all corners of the empire and report to he the state of the empire. Locutus is shocked when he hears the report of the surveyors that went to Meidum. What infidels dishonoured this holy city of the goddess Hathor (by our Byzantine friends curiously enough called Aphrodite) by giving it an Arab name?! He immediately orders the entire city counsel to be executed as Arab traitors and spies and, to strengthen our friendship with the Byzantines, has the city renamed Aphroditopolis (Per-Hathor in the Holy Language). He also reorganises the army: the army of Ptah defending Aphroditopolis is renamed the army of Hathor, the City Guard of Memphis is renamed army of Ptah and changes in the composition of various armies are made. Locutus is pleased to see that no changes to the army of Bast (in name or otherwise) are needed.

Next, Locutus IV gives 100 Gold to the Celts to strenghten diplomatic ties, orders his counsel of wise men to forget about their past efforts and focus on a concept called 'Drama', this principle shall one day inspire our soldiers and increase their morale on the battlefield, as well as entertain the civilian population. Locutus also sees that there are still plenty of empty forests, mountains and grasslands south of the empire waiting to be settled, so he orders Bubastis (Per-Bastet in the Sacred Language) to start working on a Nomad. Also, he wants to be remembered as a Great Builder and therefore orders the city of Memphis to build the Temple of Solomon and Code of Hammurabi in Heliopolis. The Temple of Solomon in particular creates a lot of resistance from the local population: how dares the great Apolyton to challenge the greatness of the holiest of holy temples of the empire, the temple of Ra by building such an inferior temple? But Locutus assures his people that they should trust him, he will not disappoint them. Disgruntled the mob accepts the decision of their leader.

2835 BC: Maps with the Byzantines and Celts are exchanged. In spite a of a generous gift of 100 Gold, the Celts refuse to sign a no-tresspassing treaty.

In 2820 BC, a Nomad is built in Tanis, Javelin Cavarlymen are now being trained.

2805 BC: Locutus is bored and has a summer palace built in Aphroditopolis, the city of the goddess of love, dance and alcohol. He spends most of his time making 'sacrifices' to the goddess. In the rest of the empire, all is quiet.

2790 BC: A Ziggurat is built in Abydos. In the presence of the 13th Apolyton, an eleborate ceremony is held in the city to dedicate the shrine to Osiris. After that, Locutus orders the formation of Javelin Cavalry and heads back to Bubastis for many 'sacrifices'...

In 2775 BC 100 Gold is given to the Celts once again and the Eye of Horus walks into a foul Barbarian trap. The brave soldiers are surrounded by 6 Barbarian armies.

2760 BC: In spite of inflicting heavy casualties to the vicious Barbarians, the Eye of Horus is destroyed.

2745 BC: Locutus organises horse races to entertain his population but spends most of his time in Per-Bastet himself.

2730 BC The many sacrifices to our gods are paying off: the gods shake the earth near the Yamoto city of Odawara and cause a lot of death and destruction. Barbarian Hoplites are spotted outside Memphis, the nearby Nomads are worried and sacrifice to Ptah to ensure that his holy army protecting them will not fail. The army of Ptah and the Blood-runners of Memphis are lining up for attack.

In 2715 BC yet more Barbarian Hoplites are seen near Memphis. Meanwhile, the Nomads feel the need to protect themselves further against this Barbarian threat and at the first suitable location found the city of Crocodilopolis and form a garrison to protect themselves. The city is named She-resy in the Holy Language and declared the city of Sobek, it's defenders the army of Sobek. The production of a Slinger is started while one Cavarly regiment remains to defend the city while the rest moves out of the city to attack the Barbarians. The Bloodrunners from Memphis attack the Hoplites outside the city and much Barbarian blood flows.

Meanwhile, the wise men of Locutus have figured out a way to entertain the population through Drama. When Locutus hears of this, he instructs Memphis to disband its work on the temple of Solomon and switch to the terrain on which the newly discovered Olympics will be held, reusing the foundation of the temple for this project. The citizens of the city are relieved and grateful that Locutus had the vision to foresee this event. Meanwhile, public works are being saved up for the construction of mines around the city. The wise men of Egypt now work on a way to store food longer by creating so called 'Granaries'.

2600 BC: the Blood Runners defeat the remaining Barbarian Hoplites. Aphroditopolis builds Cavalry, now starts on a Slinger. Unfortunately Locutus has been so busy 'sacrificing' alcohol to Hathor that, while leading the new Cavalry regiment in a training exercise, he falls of his horse and dies.